Discussion Pages

Monothelitism: (from monos and thelein ‘to will’) doctrine recognising the existence of one ‘will...

Exarchate: territorial and administrative unit commanded by an exarch; in modern usage, often the...

Ecumenical councils: (from oikoumenikos, ‘worldwide’) conferences of the bishops of the whole chu...

Diadem: originally a head-band, then imperial Roman symbol of majesty from the fourth century on;...

Circus factions: associations that staged circus games; fervent supporters’ associations of one o...

Chrysotriklinos: ‘golden hall’, from ‘gold’ (chrysos) and ‘hall’ (triklinos): large reception hal...

Caesaropapism: system whereby the monarch exercised unfettered control over the church in his dom...

Armeniakoi: one of the earliest themes; based in northern Anatolia with headquarters at Euchaita.

Arians: followers of a heresy (named after its main proponent, the third century theologian Arius...

Aktemon: A peasant with no property, no oxen or plough.

A type of annuity administered by monasteries which provided (elderly) laity with a regular allot...

Theotokos ‘god-bearing’ (from theos ‘god’ and tokos ‘bringing forth’): description of the Virgin ...

Thrakesioi: one of the earliest themes, based in western Anatolia with headquarters at Chonai.

tribunus (s.), tribuni (pl.): term for indigenous local rulers in southern Italy, which fell out ...

Turmarch: commander of a tourma; senior military commander with fiscal and judicial responsibilit...

True Cross: wooden cross on which Christ was crucified, or fragments – relics – supposedly from it.

Turkmen (Turkoman, Turcoman): Turkish nomadic tribesmen from Central Asia who streamed into Anato...

Berbers: name given to several ethnic groups indigenous to north-west Africa; known in Arab sourc...